An Easy Elderberry Cold Syrup

Elderberries are one of the most beautiful fruits a person can forage in autumn. Dark blue berries with their dusting of beautiful, white bloom hang oh-so-temptingly in their clusters! The harvest is easy for those who are willing. And if you are, these berries make a wonderful addition to your natural medicine cabinet! May I recommend that you begin with this easy elderberry cold syrup?

Unlike most recipes, this syrup uses berries in raw form. No heating required! You’ll also love this particular remedy because it’s easy to make. Whether you’re a new or old hand at putting up your own natural medicine, you’ll love the simplicity of this one.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make your own easy elderberry cold syrup, you’ll need the following:

a half-pint (250 ml) jar

funnel

1-2 large clusters of freshly harvested elderberries

12-14 whole cloves

approx 1/2 C raw honey

How to Make Your Own Cold Syrup

Count your cloves and place them in the bottom of a clean jar.

Gently pluck elderberries from their delicate stems and, with the aid of a funnel, drop them into your jar.

Fill your jar until the elderberries reach it’s shoulder. Be sure to leave space for the addition of honey!

Carefully fill the remaining space with a high quality, raw honey.

Very slowly, the honey will seep between the elderberries.

After this, it’s easy! Seal the jar with a lid and set it aside for two or three weeks. Stir occasionally, if desired.

The raw honey will gradually extract elderberry juices over time. As it does, you’ll notice colors changing from gold to a silvery pink. Berries may become shriveled in appearance. And the honey will thin out because of the raw elderberry juices.

Because this infusion is gentle and short, you don’t need to worry about raw seeds leaching cyanide into your honey.

After several weeks have passed, strain your syrup through a clean cloth.

Once accomplished, the finished product can be poured into little jars and lidded for storage. They can then be kept in the refrigerator or (if you have one) a cold room.

Note: If this recipe doesn’t have enough elderberry for your liking, infuse the syrup in elderberries a second time and you’ll double it’s power!

That’s all there is to it! This easy elderberry cold syrup is actually honey infusion. The flavor is dainty, light and of course, very, very sweet!

How to Use Elderberry Cold Syrup

If you feel a cold coming on, add one teaspoon of this syrup to your glass of water. Sip it throughout the day. It also makes a delicious addition to a cup of herbal tea. Or, you can take a teaspoon straight up if you need extra immune support.

Because it’s so delicious, children should readily agree to their daily dose of ‘medicine!’ But don’t feed it to children under 1 year of age on account of the raw honey.

Meet Autumn

I'm Autumn, a young gal who loves homemaking, enjoys the great outdoors and believes that old fashioned skill sets have much to offer our modern world. I've found a better life and invite you to join me on the journey! Read More…